After saying four years ago he would only serve one term, Springfield Mayor Mike Houston said Monday he will run for re-election.

"I have been deeply inspired by your continued reassurance and encouragement," Houston said in a news conference Monday morning in the Springfield City Council chamber. "It is for this reason, combined with the reality that we have goals and accomplishments achieved, I am seeking another term as mayor."

Houston, 70, served as Springfield's mayor from 1979-1987, and when in the running for his current term won in 2011, Houston said at the time that he intended to serve only one term this time around.

However, by late 2013, he has said it was “up in the air” if he would seek another term in 2015.

Houston said Monday that he and his wife, Carolyn, agreed he would leave the mayor's office in 2015.

"Now, she supports my desire to serve another four years," he said. Houston choked up while noting the "many sacrifices" his wife has made during this second stint in the mayor's office.

Houston said city government is "headed in the right direction" under his leadership and he wants to "see it through." He cited Springfield's falling unemployment rate, its improved credit rating, plans to improve streets and sewers and cuts to the size of city government's workforce.

As of the end of March, Houston had more than $63,000 in his campaign fund.

Sangamon County Auditor Paul Palazzolo, who has formally announced a run for mayor, issued a statement after Houston's news conference Monday pointing out that Houston is "breaking his pledge to Springfield voters" to only serve one term. Palazzolo also released a campaign commercial on YouTube featuring clips of Houston talking about serving one term.

In addition to Palazzolo, Springfield City Treasurer Jim Langfelder has said he is in the race, and Ward 6 Ald. Cory Jobe has been exploring a possible run for mayor.

The nonpartisan city primary is Feb. 24, and the general election is April 7.